My roof was getting old (20 years since last roof installed) and I was dreading the replacement cost as I could not see any damage due to wind from the recent storms. I personally clean the gutters regularly. Getting on my roof is easy and it is not a steep slope anywhere. No big deal. But, GETTING a new roof installed most certainly IS a big deal. Or I thought it was.
One day the doorbell rang and Charlie VanMeter was standing there, said he was doing another roof around the corner from me and noticed my roof and the wind damage on it. Something about his calm, confident manner clicked with me. I said, "You're #14." He smiled and said he had heard that before, but that I "still had wind damage". I said, "Show me."
He looked kind of startled but said OK. (Said later he rarely has any owners get up on their roofs). He started showing me all the wind damaged shingles and once I knew what to look for (I thought the damage would be torn or missing shingles), they were everywhere. Charlie was very familiar with what all the insurance companies required for roof replacement and about how much they would cover based on the age of the roof. He also showed me the weather records with the historical wind speeds in my area. I then asked him point blank how confident he was that my claim would go thru. He immediately said, "Very.".
He explained the process and how it would unfold (and exactly as it did unfold) over the next few weeks, scheduling an adjuster from the insurance company to come out and do an assessment, the insurance company's letter, scheduling with the winter weather, delivery of materials, the ONE DAY install and clean up, and removal of leftover materials and debris.
The crew arrived at about 6:30 AM, still dark out, and got to work. They spread tarps completely around the house, over flowers, shrubs, deck, porch, AC units, driveway, everything. They stripped the old roof completely, down to the plywood, repaired a couple of damaged places, built a cricket behind the chimney, installed drip edges (not there before) all around, installed ridge vents, power vents, vapor barrier and valley shields. Everything was straight, clean and even and the overall workmanship was excellent.
If you have ever experienced a roof replacement you know one of the biggest issues/headaches is the CLEANUP; pieces of old shingles, nails, wrappers, nails, water bottles, and nails will be everywhere and found later in the grass and shrubs for days, weeks and months afterward. These guys did an excellent job of cleanup. Four guys were crawling around on their hands and knees with big magnets, scouring the grass and under the shrubs. I've only found a few scraps of old roofing and a hand full of nails in the downspouts. I'm VERY pleased with that.
The entire experience was not just painless but enjoyable. Charlie was excellent to work with, explained everything and was exactly correct with how everything would happen. He visited several times during the install and took pictures of it all. He also returned several days later to do a walk-thru. The crew was amazing to watch; no one had to tell anyone what needed to be done, they just did it like a well rehearsed team.
THANK YOU, Charlie, for a job very well done. The out-of-pocket cost was less than expected and the process was much easier with someone who knows what is reasonable to expect and how to get it done. EXCELLENT workmanship by the crew, too!!